Audi updates the A3 Sportback TFSIe; the plug-in hybrid now offers more power and greater range

During March Audi began the sales launch in Spain of the A3 Sportback, together with the sporty S3 variant and the new A3 Allstreet crossover. All of them came with petrol or diesel engines and mild-hybrid technology, with more engines expected to join the range a few months later. That moment has now arrived, expanding the options with the plug-in hybrid powertrains.

The new Audi A3 Sportback will feature two plug-in hybrid powertrains that build on the well-known ones, also receiving an update, and now offering more power and electric range thanks to the improvements made. Known as TFSIe, there will be the entry-level 40 TFSIe variant with 204 CV (150 kW) and the sportier 45 TFSIe with an output of 272 CV (200 kW).

As I mentioned, both powertrains undergo changes: the heart of the hybrid system in both variants moves from the 1.4 TFSI to the 1.5 TFSI evo2 engine block, an engine with a higher compression ratio, as well as higher injection pressure and several reinforced components such as the cylinder liners and pistons. The electric side is handled by a permanent-magnet synchronous motor that now delivers 85 kW and 330 Nm of torque, integrated into the casing of the six-speed S tronic transmission, which, by the way, fits a new, stronger bearing to cope perfectly with the increase in power.

Although the two variants have different outputs, both maintain a combustion engine torque of 250 Nm. Working together, the combined torque for the 40 TFSIe variant is 350 Nm, allowing it to accelerate to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 225 km/h; meanwhile, the 45 TFSIe has a combined torque of 400 Nm, a 0-100 km/h time of 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 237 km/h. Both versions can run in fully electric mode as long as they do not exceed 140 km/h.

We must not forget that the high-voltage battery, which forms part of this hybrid system, now has a capacity of 25.7 kWh, almost double that of its predecessor while barely increasing in size, which has allowed the fully electric range to rise to 141 kilometres. As usual, there are several driving modes that deliver its energy in different ways, and there is even an extra power boost: 40 kW for 15 seconds on the 40 TFSIe and 70 kW for 8 seconds on the 45 TFSIe.

The battery can also recover energy during deceleration or braking phases, which can be controlled through the recuperation levels when driving in EV mode via the steering wheel paddles, just as in a fully electric vehicle. Energy can also be replenished through the Mode 3 cable included as standard, and for the first time on the A3 Sportback TFSIe there is DC fast charging, so that using DC charging at up to 50 kW, it is possible to go from 10% to 80% in under half an hour. If you use AC charging points or public charging stations with three-phase charging of up to 11 kW, charging takes 2 hours and 30 minutes.

The Audi A3 Sportback TFSIe will be available in the trim levels we already know for the conventional petrol and diesel engines. As for the 40 TFSIe, from the entry-level Advanced trim onwards, it comes with features such as 17-inch alloy wheels, the Drive Select dynamic driving system, stationary air conditioning and new graphics for the Audi Virtual Cockpit and MMI display, in keeping with its plug-in hybrid powertrain. The 45 TFSIe shows off its sporty character with the S Line exterior package as standard, the Black Plus styling package, 18-inch wheels with Audi Sport design, red brake calipers, tinted windows, sport seats and aluminium inserts.

Sales of the Audi A3 Sportback TFSIe have already begun in Spain, with the 40 TFSIe variant available from 46,230 euros, while the 45 TFSIe starts from 54,430 euros. These powertrains will also arrive for the A3 Allstreet later this autumn, although prices for the latter have not yet been announced.

Technical specifications of this car

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